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Psy, Others Push for Autopsy of K-Pop Legend

Iconic singer Shin Hae Chul died on Monday following an operation, leading to accusations of medical malpractice

Psy and other K-pop icons have requested an autopsy for legendary South Korean rocker Shin Hae Chul, who died on Monday following an operation, leading to accusations of medical malpractice. The late singer's family consented to the request just before his body was scheduled to be cremated on Friday morning.

"It has been decided not to cremate the body," singer Lee Seung-chul told reporters on behalf of Shin's family outside Seoul Memorial Park's crematorium. Lee explained that he and fellow K-pop artists convinced the family to consider a postmortem to determine the exact cause of death.

"The bereaved family feels as if the world is caving in," said Psy, who was seen shedding tears during a Catholic memorial service for Shin earlier on Friday morning at Asan Medical Center. The "Gangnam Style" star collaborated with the musician on the 2003 album Project X.

"The autopsy is irrelevant to whether or not the family decides to file charges [against Seoul Sky Hospital that has been accused of malpractice]. The family does not want this. It is so that we could know why he passed away, irrespective of possible legal disputes," the rapper added.

Shin was a pioneer of avant-garde rock music since debuting in 1988. The singer-songwriter formed a band, N.E.X.T. (New Experiment Team), and was widely called "the Devil" for his charismatic stage presence, socially critical lyrics and vocal support for such causes as ending corporal punishment in local schools.

The artist had an operation on Oct. 17 for what has been reported to be a strangulated hernia at Seoul Sky Hospital and was discharged the following day. He was readmitted to the hospital on Oct. 20 and suffered a heart attack two days later. He was in a coma for five days before dying of cardiac arrest on Monday following a bowel operation. He was 46 and is survived by his wife, Yoon Won-hee, a broadcaster and columnist, and their 8-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son.

He released his first studio album in six years this summer and was about to announce more new songs with his band N.E.X.T. Over 16,000 mourners, including top K-pop artists, actors and fans, visited Shin's mortuary that was set up at Asan Medical Center for three days beginning on Tuesday.

Oct. 31, 1:09 a.m. Updated with additional details regarding the number of visitors to Shin's mortuary.